 The opera features three solo singers, a wordless female chorus, and a chamber orchestra of 12 musicians (consisting of 2 Flutes, a Cor Anglais, 2 String Quartets and a Double Bass).Holst had made at least six earlier attempts at composing opera before arriving at "Sāvitri".The opera was first given in an amateur performance at Wellington Hall, London on 5 December 1916.